UNICEF to continue cooperation with government

The United Nations children's organisation UNICEF would closely cooperate with the government of Pakistan in improving the situation of women and children. The mid-term review of the Pakistan-UNICEF country programme 1999-2003, a project aimed at improvements in health, education and child protection, showed promising results. UNICEF spokesman, George Somerwill, told IRIN in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Wednesday that the most important lesson learned from the project was the significance of coordination among the partners. "Sharing ideas and lessons make a major difference," he said. He added the overall results of the project were positive. However, UNICEF and the government of Pakistan were distracted by the Afghan crisis in recent months. Highlighting the achievements of the programme, he noted the increase in school attendance by girls in the eastern industrial city of Sialkot in Punjab province. "UNICEF and its partners have been successful in doing this through advocacy," he said. Somerwill elaborated that there had been an increased improvement in immunisation against polio, which is one of the main diseases threatening the health of children in Pakistan. Given the prolonged drought, the food situation in certain areas has deteriorated. "Food poverty [daily calorie intake] has increased in terms of the under five age group in drought-stricken parts of the country," he said. To assess the situation and determine future directions, a mid-term review of the project was carried out in Islamabad on Tuesday. The agency's future strategy would focus on fewer issues supported by improved advocacy and data. UNICEF mobilised US $40 million for Pakistani women and children last year.